Laurel of Northeast Georgia - Nov 22

It’s difficult to share 110 years of rich history in one

article. The families who were the first to attend this church have ancestors still worshipping there today. The loved ones buried in the Wolffork Baptist Church cemetery date back to the time when it was private land. The first man to own the land was John Pinson who later sold to Abraham Keener who deeded an acre and a half for the purpose of a meeting house and school. The first structure proved to be too cold, a second building was built with a fireplace and was sufficient for residents to worship. Both Baptists and Methodists having services in it, working their schedules around each other. The children of the Wolffork community also attended school in the small building in the center of the valley. This served as an education resource for the children until the school was consolidated with Dillard Elementary in 1935.

Let’s back up just a bit to 1875 and over the mountain in the Germany community a church was built. The road that passed by this small white church with the steeple led to Wolffork. Residents from Wolffork didn’t have a church yet so many traveled the dirt road across the mountain to attend services. In 1912 Mountain Grove Church launched Wolffork Missionary Baptist by transferring 29 members by letter and 19 more by profession of faith. With 48 charter members Wolffork’s church was established. In the years that followed the members added an organized Sunday School, the women organized a Women’s Missionary Union, a Baptist Young People’s Union was something for the youth and of course as the church grew additions were made. Generous members and visitors made donations allowing the church to upgrade and add Sunday school rooms, a baptismal and more room for God’s children to gather in His name over the years.

The welcoming spirit and mission work that are at the core of this body of believers has never wavered in 110 years. Even today they not only support missionaries around the world they reach out within their own community to be the church. They have never let denominations divide rather they have made room for all who wish to gather. Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians have all used this building to have church.

In the late 90s a hispanic minister came seeking a place for his congregation to hold services and not surprisingly Wolffork Baptist Church opened their hearts and doors. The Elohim Mission Church held service at Wolffork Baptist Church until

August 2003. Wolffork continues to support the Elohim Mission to this day. The church also helps feed the hungry in north Georgia by becoming part of the Northeast Georgia Food Bank. The church has a food pantry in their fellowship hall and over the years have provided tons of food to help feed the community. This congregation has consistently looked for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As it should be.

God has sent Pastors and Reverends to lead His Wolffork flock since 1912, far too many to list here but they certainly have invested in the hearts and minds of their congregation. The Deacons, Teachers and members have impacted many lives over the generations. Today Pastor Bill Barker leads the church and they have his sermons online if you’d like to listen in.

Some members have shared their memories. Again I wish I could share them all but I’d like to share the remembrances of Judy Garland McCracken. The picture it will paint in your mind will bring back memories from simpler days when life was a little sweeter and less complicated. I praise God for believers like these at Wolffork Missionary Baptist Church. Truly the country church in the valley, they’ve always got room for you to join them. They are located on Wolffork Church Road in Rabun Gap, Georgia. Visit their website www.wolffork.org for more information.

Judy shared… “This church has been such an important part of my life. My earliest memories are walking to VBS during the summer. I remember Ruth Thurmond being the director. It was two weeks of Bible stories, memorizing scripture,

songs, and crafts. Then of course, we all looked forward to the grape juice and homemade sugar cookies brought by Mrs. Lucy York, Miss Arizona Dickerson, Ione Dickerson, and Miss Pauline Coleman Dickerson. I remember how I felt when Daddy was first called on to pray during the worship service and how he managed the overwhelming nervousness by asking everyone to pray the Lord’s Prayer with him. It was the beginning of many heartfelt prayers that he gave until he could no longer attend services. One of my fondest memories of my teen years was a campout with Mrs. Straner when she led YWA’s. She did not feel safe or comfortable lying on the ground… so she slept on the table. Oh, how I loved to hear laugh! Then there were the youth parties at Arlene and Keith Hopper’s home. Arlene had a wonderful laugh and a willingness to work with the young people. Then, there were Montene and her sisters in the choir and Betty Keener playing the piano and in the summer Mrs. Miller playing the old organ. Christmas at Wolffork… Glenn Hopper and other men singing “We Three Kings” Mae Neal as Santa, Charlyn’s costume catching on fire, caroling in a Volkswagen, John and Joey’s “real” inn, and the New Year’s Eve watch night service. This church family has had a profound influence on my life as well as the lives of my children. I cannot remember any aspect of my life without the church having a significant part.”